Foreword: If you are so crazy about star wars you know all the planets' currencys, weather patterns, and prominent leaders of shady trade organizations, don't read this. You will find it wrong in every way.
Secondly: I'm sorry but Siri Tachi is simply not hot enough to be Obi-Wan's main squeeze. Her existence is thus not acknowledged in this story.
And Lastly: Her name is pronounced "Za-lay-ha."
There is Serenity
Obi-wan Kenobi, a young human padawan of potential, well known in the Jedi circle and to those other beings who read Star Wars novels and watch Star Wars movies, was on a solo mission of not-so-great importance. The Jedi Knight Logus Shri had lost his first padawan, Zaleiha, on a skirmish in Jabiim that should have ended as a simple surveillance mission to check in on the growing population of Independents. Trandoshan bandits, aided by a torrential downpour, outlined the details of some obscure (and undoubtedly embarrassing) explanation on how master and padawan had become separated. Needed shortly there after in Coruscant, Logus was instructed to leave his lesser skilled padawan behind to be picked up by a person of, at this moment in time, less importance.
Zaleiha was several years behind Obi-Wan in skill and experience. She should, however, have been able to take care of herself for the day and a half she had now been trudging through the planet's endless mud. Obi-Wan had in his possession her light saber, which the much criticized Logus had managed to keep track of but somehow not his padawan. Had the young woman been able to avoid the growing plague of Brainrot, (a disquieting name) she should be in good health and making herself trackable, at least to another Jedi.
Obi-wan set down his ship in the vast mud planes some miles out of the planet's capital city, Choal. It was in this area that Logus had last lost sight of his padawan. Obi-Wan pulled his hood over his head against the rain and spotted some lights in the distance; homes and cook fires.
Several minutes of trudging in the rain not only brought Obi-Wan to the outskirts of a small mining community but also saw to it that he was completely drenched. Subtle as it was, he was slightly aware of another near by who had a rudimentary knowledge of the Force. Undoubtedly his parcel pickup to be, Zaleiha.
Obi-Wan was instantly aware that things were not as they should be. The village was in some small ruin, seemingly recently trashed/pillaged and victim of some small scale demolition. The site had been sacked and over taken by Trandoshan bandits or Yeveddin pirates; the two scourges that currently thwarted Jabiim along with the Brainrot Plague.
There was a good deal of commotion at the far end of the community. Alien humanoids wandered here and there, uncommon for Jabiim. The largest structure had been affixed to function as an auction house and slave traders from the outer rim had already arrived to barter off a few of the spoils, predominantly valuable ores.
Obi-Wan shook his head at Jabiim's sorry state. It was no wonder its inhabitants were siding largely with the Independents and against the Republic, who provided no aid to the planets slow decline into chaos.
Surely Zaleiha couldn't have gotten herself into this mess; yet Obi-Wan could sense her presence with a growing interest and urgency. He willed himself demure and uninteresting and discreetly made his way to the outskirts of the commotion. Along with an impressive stash of intensely valued ores stolen from the mining site, there were 3 women and 2 youngish human boys among the loot up for trade. Obi-Wan spotted Zaleiha immediately.
The young padawan was slumped against a crate, shackled with the other Jabiim humans. She was thin and slight,her thick copper hairwas pinned in a tossled mass on her head, two loose fish tail braids hung over her shoulder and below her breasts. Her eyes were closed and her complexion was sallow and she was visibly ill. Too much so to defend herself or have much to do at all with her surroundings.
"Kriff!"he cursed under his breath. Not the Brainrot. He was decidedly uninterested in exposing himself to any disease with such an aversive name. He made eye contact quickly with Zaleiha, who must have picked up on his presence as she suddenly appeared more alert and regarded him unquestioningly as to who he was or why he was there. Her eyes were light green, a contrast to her dark brows and lashes.
Obi-Wan waited patiently for she and the other humans to be brought forward for trade. Obi-Wan could hear a Trandoshan bandit offering the lot of them for various quantities of supplies and trade goods. There was some speculation over Zaleiha's health and thus her value, but her impressive beauty caused for little persuasion. Obi-Wan waited for them to be bartered and taken to the side. He conceded to deal with the Jabiim slaves, but crashing an entire bandit looting party was, for this mission anyway, an unnecessary expenditure of calories.
Zaleiha and the others had been traded to a character Obi-Wan recognized as a Thalassian and thus from the Thalassian Slavers Guild. The most prominent and feared figurehead of the Guild, The Blood Prince of Thalassia, was a much talked about and wanted criminal from the illegal slave trade; making infamous their names and business.
Obi-Wan waited patiently for the crowd to thin and for the opportune moment to approach. While the last bargaining arrangements were being made, hooded and discreetly Obi-Wan quickly positioned himself beside Zaleiha and addressed her.
"Zaleiha. Are you in any condition to help me get you out of this?" He spoke quietly and directly.
She could barely stand on her own and the other two women supported her, regarding Obi-Wan curiously but knowing better than to draw attention.
"I might have something left." She replied weakly. "What are you thinking?"
"Nothing too fancy. I'm personally in the mood for something neat and tidy. I'm anxious to get out of all this mud. Once we're a a good distance from the commotion here well make a move and keep it quiet. Don't allow yourself to be put on any ship." He looked to the other two women. "If we provide you an escape do you know where to run to?" The women exchanged glances and then nodded helpfully.
Obi-Wan then disappeared and a moment later the Thalassian trader returned with 3 others like him and two droids, assisting carrying goods and urging Zaleiha and the others to start walking at blaster point.
"Lets move out before this area gets busted!" The trader snorted, and the small group set out across the mud plains and away from the village. Understandably, once alerted to a valuable trade by the Trandoshan bandits the traders from the outer rim knew better than to draw attention to the area by landing their ships close by. Obi-Wan slinked behind in the shadows.
Once the group was several hundred feet from the mining community Obi-Wan sprang into action with silent precision, spinning his light saber in one clean, elegant arc to behead the two droids holding up the rear. The four Thalassian's scarcely had time to turn before another swing severed the shackles binding Zaleiha and the Jabiim women and children. In an instant the two padawans each extended a hand towards the Thalassians, hurtling them several feet backwards and into the mud, their blasters in opposite directions.
"Now's the time ladies!" Obi-wan shouted impatiently, and the two women quickly snatched the hands of the young boys and hastily made their way into the darkness, in the direction of the capital city.
Zaleiha lost her strength and fell to her knees in the mud. Obi-Wan swung his light saber in several casual but threatening swoops towards the Thalassians, who scrambled amongst each other in the mud and scurried terrified towards their ship.
"So uncivilized." Obi-Wan scoffed as he watched them scrabmle through the mud and into the distance. He then glanced quickly towards the mining village to see that the mild skirmish hadn't been noticed. When no one made any signs of pursuit he knelt to help Zaleiha to her feet, pulling an arm over her shoulder. He quickly reached into his cloak with his opposite hand and produced her light saber. She only nodded and took it from him gratefully.
The two made slow progress away from the village and back towards Obi-Wan's ship. He had landed little over a mile away and Zaleiha was no help in covering the distance.
"You'd better not have Brainrot," he huffed as he pulled her along. "I'll be damned if I'm going to loose my mind over a mission like this one."
Zaleiha started to pant heavily and to drag her feet. Obi-Wan bent to scoop her up under the knees and carried her in front of him. When she started to wheeze Obi-Wan became too worried to cover the remaining half mile to his ship. He diverted path towards a clump of some drowned looking trees. They were old and, having fought the constant shifting of the saturated earth it was easy for him to find a knoll among the roots of an upturned tree that remained dry. The ancient roots provided an area which spanned about 8 feet. He carefully climbed in with Zaleiha in his arms and arranged her in the farthest and driest part of the knoll. He gathered what sticks and twigs were dry enough under the tree to start a small fire and did so quickly. He had a small flask of water on his person and, after the fire was healthy, moved over to Zaleiha to rouse her and get a little down her throat.
She chocked a little came to. She breathed deeply a few times and opened her eyes wide, first to look at Obi-Wan and then at her surroundings. Then she winced and coughed.
Obi-Wan was irritated that he had nothing dry to offer her; her clothing, the under layer of the traditional padawan robes, were as soaked as his were. He helped her to sit up and inch a little closer to the fire. The weather was wet but thankfully not cold, and their knoll gathered heat quickly. The rest restored a little color to Zaleiha's face and the warmth lent her enough energy to reach for Obi-Wan's flask and empty its contents eagerly.
Obi-Wan regarded her with careful interest. He was 24. Only one year away from becoming the only jedi in approximately 1000 years to kill a Sith lord. Zaleiha was was near his age, as far as he could tell, if not slightly younger. At this period in the jedi order celibacy was not only encouraged but enforced1 . In spite of a life of study and experience, he had yet to share such an intimate space with a woman of his age. Or of Zaleiha's beauty.
"I don't have Brainrot." She finally managed. "I was bit by something in the mud. I'm not sick I'm poisoned." She laid her head back against the tree roots and surprisingly smiled slightly as she spoke. "But if it were going to kill me it would have by now." She tilted her head to look at Obi-Wan. "Thank you. What is your name?"
"Obi-Wan Kenobi. Master Qui-Gon Jinn is my master."
"Well, thank you Obi-Wan." Her hair was matted and sweat beaded on her forehead. She smiled. "You know I'm normally very light hearted."
Obi-Wan smiled and they both appreciated the bleakness of their surroundings.
"There will be something that can help you on my ship." He said at last. "You stay here and try not to get bit by anything else." Zaleiha nodded and he slipped into the rain. She dozed until his return and awoke to the sound of his voice.
"The ships medical computer says you should take this." Obi-Wan was handing her a tablet and a new flask of drinking water. Zaleiha took it graciously and finished off the water. Within 10 minutes her color was returning and she felt a healthy exhaustion replace her poison induced dis-ease.
"When the rain stops we'll head out while we have a moment of dry weather. said Obi-Wan. "I'll be happy if I never see another drop of rain again."
Zaleiha had set about peeling off some of her wet clothing from her upper half and dispersing them on roots around her until she was wearing only a small bandeau across her chest. Now beginning to dry, she had piled her hair on top of her head. Her skin shown and Obi-Wan felt that she was radiantly beautiful. And now, as in his youth, he obediently exercised that skill which explored, acknowledged, and then safely set aside any emotion that could detract from his concentration. There is no passion, there is serenity. There is no emotion, there is peace.
Obi-Wan allowed Zaleiha to doze for the next hour until the dawn began to break. The light was welcoming and the rain, as though coerced by the sun's good charms, decided to take a break. The planet Jabiim regularly saw only 5 days out of the year without rain, so Obi-Wan was well aware a dry sky would be short lived. He nudged Zaleiha's arm lightly to wake her.
Hungry and anxious to leave the wet world behind, the two set out quickly and made much better time than they had the night before, moving lightly and with purpose across the mud flat.
To Obi-Wan's surprise, over the majority of the distance, Zaleiha hummed and "tra'la"d to herself light heartedly, inspired by the dry weather and the warmth of the morning. Embarrassed and at first annoyed, Obi-Wan paid her no attention. Singing for no apparent reason was showy and dramatic. After a few minutes, however, he conceded that she was, at least, amusing, and her presence was ultimately uplifting. When they reached the ship Obi-Wan turned to find her smiling inwardly.
"Your master lets you get away with that sort of thing, does he?" Zaleiha laughed. He realized that she did that easily. Having anticipated the question she responded confidently:
"I'm practicing well being."
"Id say its a little flamboyant, wouldn't you?" He asked, squinting in the morning sun.
"Elation leads me to peace and the Force." She walked up the ramp and disappeared into the ship. "And how does master Obi-Wan achieve the serenity and harmony outlined in the Jedi code?" She called prudishly.
Obi-Wan thought about this skeptically and then followed her onboard. The ships communication system was flashing impatiently. Obi-Wan stepped up to the controls and hit a switch.
"Kenobi." He responded.
"About time I get a hold of you Obi-Wan." It was the voice of his master, Qui-Gon Jinn. I've been calling you for hours, where in the name of the Force are you?"
"I apologize master, things took a little longer here than expected, I've just gotten back to the ship now."
"Did you find Zaleiha?"
"I did, she's here with me."
"Well you haven't got time to take her back to Coruscant, I need you here. I was having a look at some illegal mining operation on Arbras only to find that Dequc is in charge of it, and he's here on site."
"Dequc?" Obi-Wan asked, surprised. "Of the Black Sun?"2
"Yes. A much bigger fish than originally anticipated and the facility here is nothing to be sneezed at either. It's no secret Dequc has in the past had Fallen Jedi as body guards and if he's here I'm not surprised if there are one or two of them here as well. On top of everything they've enslaved a local humanoid race to run the facility and mine the ore. They've seemingly all been equipped with a chip in the cranium that causes death if one attempts to escape. Unfortunately they're likable little fellows so we've got to do something about them too."
"That is quite a bother." Obi-wan responded thoughtfully. "How much longer can you hold out? Zale and I can't be there for at least an hour."
"I can stay hidden for now. Contact me when you're approaching the atmosphere, I'm going to want you two to dismantle whatever system controls the slave chips and then meet up with me find to Dequc and possibly face his protection."
"That streak of humanitarianism is a heavy burden, master." Obi-Wan smiled.
"To the job, please, Obi-Wan."
"Yes master, we're on our way." Obi-Wan shut off the communication line and immediately began moves to take off.
The Black Sun was one of the largest criminal syndicates of smuggling and piracy in the known galaxy, it's influence felt on every planet from the core worlds to the outer rim. It resources were near limitless and prominent figures highly sought after.
Zaleiha, seated beside Obi-Wan as he guided the ship through lift off, laughed.
"You're rather smug aren't you."
"I think you mean charming."
Instead of responding Zaleiha rose and began rummaging around in her damp robes behind Obi-Wan.
After a few moments she said "I had a blaster when I landed on Jabiim but I certainly don't have it now."
"Lost blaster, lost light saber, lost master. Really Zaleiha I should think a padawan of your age would be a little more careful with her affairs."
"I don't like to be too careful. A little tragedy can be the spice of life," she said falling back into the seat beside him. "There wouldn't be a creative ember in this universe if no one ever lost anything."
She smiled coquettishly and Obi-Wan stared. Her dark features and light green eyes were lovely. She had a full and sensual mouth, so often parting into vibrant smiles, displaying white teeth.
Obi-Wan suddenly felt a little victimized. Would Master Qui-Gon really decide to put him on a mission to collect such an obviously.. distracting person? Why, knowing what is expected of a Jedi, had they sent him to pick up a woman of his age and one so attractive? He was slightly suspicious that he or she or perhaps the two of them were being tested somehow. But no. Not at his age and rank. Surely his master simply had such a degree of confidence in his padawon that the issue was not even considered.
"How old are you, Zale?" Obi-Wan asked after a moment.
"22." She replied, distracted. "-I'll be honest, Obi-Wan; master Logus doesn't much approve of me either."
"I'm not surprised."
"But I see no better way to practice the code then to cultivate happiness. Regardless of where I am or who I'm with. Or if I'm alone. Or If I've lost something. Enjoyment, appreciation, even in times of sorrow. Doesn't that make sense to you?"
"Humans are a complicated species." Obi-Wan responded. "I won't deny that different things work for different people. Question your superiors, Zale."
After a 45 minute trip through hyperdrive the ship hovered just outside the atmosphere of Arbras. Obi-Wan guided the ship down as he made moves to open communication with Qui- Gon.
"Zale, see if you can use the ships computer to get a scan of the mining facility when we approach it; we'll need to know where to find the device that controls the slave chips." She nodded.
"Master this is Obi-Wan."
"Good timing. Set your ship down where you won't be noticed. Have you gotten any information on the facility?"
Obi-Wan and Zaleiha could now see the large structure looming on the desert horizon, an imposing creation of landing bays, giant digging machines and flight transports moving in and out, set against a ragged terrain of cliff and rock formations.
"We've got it." Zale alerted Obi-Wan. "We have the basic infrastructure."
"Yes Master," Obi-wan responded to Qui-Gon. He leaned over Zaleiha's shoulder and studied the matrix that outlined the interior of the facility.
"I believe I can see where the main power structures are. We can probably find the device that controls the chips there."
"Good." Said Qui- Gon. Make sure you don't shut anything else down, I want our presence unknown."
"Yes master."
"How long?"
"We can be at the power center in 25 minutes." Obi-Wan guestimated.
"Good. contact me afterwards to find my position, I'll be closing in on Dequc."
"Yes Master." Obi wan shut off the communication and began to set the ship precariously among some land formation, hidden a half mile from the facility.
The two Jedi slipped nimbly from the ship and made their way towards the facility's exterior. They discretely circumvented the outside, pausing behind corners and equipment when droids passed. The area was full of busily working humanoid creatures, ranging from 3-4 feet in height and all wrapped from head to toe in colorful shrouds of fabric. Obi-Wan and Zaleiha made no effort to hide from them. Occasionally they would look at them; their large eyes like a bat's with fur around them, but hope for rescue would keep any one of them from sounding the alarm.
The first entrance Obi-Wan and Zaleiha came to they waited outside patiently for several minutes, pressed against the wall and just around the corner. The electric door opened and, after several droids marched out, the two slipped in. No sooner had the door closed behind them then they found themselves under blaster fire. They had trotted directly into a second group of some 10 battle droids. Obi-Wan and Zaleiha leapt out of the wave of fire in opposite directions, their light sabers igniting simultaneously. Whirling their weapons they turned and faced the troop of droids with deadly precision. Zale deflected laser blasts back at the droids, felling all but two, which Obi-Wan destroyed in one elegant swoop.
They took off quickly down the metal corridor, navigating with a small pocket computer Obi-Wan checked sporadically, which projected the facility's layout in a small green lattice just above the palm of his hand. A few turns through different corridors brought them to a stop in front of a small metal door in the middle of the wall.
"This is a transportation shaft for supplies." Said Obi-wan, sliding the small door upwards to reveal an opening just large enough for a person to hop into. "It runs back and forth between the floors. I think we can take it as a short cut to the computer power center."
Zaleiha peered in skeptically, then pulled herself up and slipped in feet first. Obi-Wan glanced up and down the hall before quickly doing them same. He slid 4 or 5 feet before finding himself wedged face to face against Zaleiha in the darkness.
"..Smaller than I expected," he said after a glance upwards.
"..When does it move?"
"Frequently, I'm sure." He detected some frustration and quickly added "-Either way I'm sure its still a short cut."
Their closeness was embarrassing. Obi-Wan kept his face turned to the side to avoid brushing against hers. He planned their next moves to keep his mind from lingering on her body pressed against his. Every breath she took caused her breasts to press against his chest.
"Maybe we should climb out." He conceded.
Before she could responded the transport lurched and then quickly took off in a downwards direction. After a few moments the door above them opened and light filtered in. Zaleiha muffled a cry of surprise as a barrel full of coal was emptied over their heads. The door shut again and the transport continued down. At the next stop Obi-Wan boosted Zaleiha so that she could pry the door open and pull herself out, falling into the hall in a mess of soot. She rolled out of the way for Obi-Wan to do the same.
They quickly got to their feet and trotted to the end of the corridor where Obi-Wan waved a hand to open the door. The stood at the entrance of a large refrigerated room full of individual power stations, each a small tower on the floor.
He wiped a hand across his face, black with soot.
"What did I tell you? Shortcut!"
Zaleiha took one look at him and laughed. "Short cut and a disguise!"
Then she pointed to the different stations placed systematically across the floor.
"Which?"
"We'll have to have a look," he said, pacing up to the first and wrinkling his forehead, looking for some hint. Zale did the same.
The third Obi-Wan approached was easily identified. It was projecting a grid of the facility and surrounding grounds- littered with small red dots moving slowly in and out and up and down.
"This is it, it's monitoring the locations of all the workers."
Using his hands on the grid, Obi-wan navigated through several system controls, searching for an unobtrusive way to shut it off.
"We'd better destroy it," Zale said. "Better that it can't be reactivated."
Obi-Wan stepped back and then nodded. "You're probably right." His light saber ignited and he cut cleanly and vertically through the system. Both were relieved when no alarms sounded or lights went out.
"Hopefully that's done it," said Obi-Wan as he pulled the computer out of his robes.
"Master this is Obi-Wan."
"Good timing. I'm in the ventilation shaft above the dome in the highest floor in the north wing." I've found Dequc. He has a Chagrian with him; a fallen Jedi, I can sense his knowledge of the force. Though I doubt he's too skilled for any one of us."
"Are they aware of your presence?"
"The Chagrian seems a little on edge, but as far as I can tell he hasn't alerted anyone of his suspicions. Have you disarmed the slave chip system?"
"Yes master."
"Good. make your way to me. I'll engage the Chagrin when I'm in a good position to do so. If I meet trouble I'll expect you behind me presently."
"Yes Master." Obi-wan closed the communication and opened the projection of the navigation grid. He spun the lattice of the structure by moving his hand over the image.
"Here is where we're headed." he pointed a finger at the upper left corner of the facility. "Lets hurry."
The two turned and darted out the way they had came. A few strides down the hall and another collection of battle droids rounded the corner in front of them. Zaleiha and Obi-Wan skidded on their heels as the group opened fire. Their light sabers emerged and Obi-Wan leapt and turned an agile flip over the group, beheading droids the instant he touched ground behind them. Zaleiha fought her way towards him and within moments the group lay in pieces at their feet. A sound behind them caused them turn.
Two larger droids rolled in like balls around the corner, standing and igniting individual shields; bluish orbs that encircled their bodies.
"Destroyers!" Obi-Wan shouted, deflecting their first blaster shots. "Lets make a run for it!"
The two each made a daring jump over the driods and dashed down the hall behind them. Zaleiha turned and deflected blaster beams as Obi-Wan struggled with a grate at the end of the hall. Pulling it away he stepped aside for Zaleiha to go before him, deflecting shots with his saber as she turned and dove in. Obi-Wan followed seconds behind.
The two scrambled along a horizontal shaft on their hands and knees.
"Left!" Obi-Wan shouted at a fork in the system.
Another 15 feet and Zaleiha turned on her back to kick out a second grate, opening their way onto a large landing platform. The two dropped to the floor and behind some crates. Staying low, Obi-Wan tapped her shoulder and motioned to follow, moving quickly along the platform's rim, staying behind machinery and storage. Several medium sized space crafts were being loaded with ores and mining materials. Circumventing the area, Obi-Wan swept his hand before a sliding door and it opened into another hall, leading to several cage elevators.
The two ran onto the first and pulled an engagement lever to begin the cage's ascent. They folded their arms in the sleeves of their robes, as both had seen their masters do, and waited nervously. The cadge brought them to a floor plushly carpeted and pretentiously furnished; a stark contrast to the lower levels of the facility.
They could hear light sabers colliding. The two darted down a corridor that ended in a circular path, walking in a observational loop around the wall of large dome, looking down onto a tiled terrace.
Obi-Wan sprinted to the edge of the circular walkway and flipped over the wooded railing, light saber igniting, and landed in immediate battle beside Qui-Gon against the Chagrian fallen Jedi.
Obi-Wan and his master made a formidable pair; having fought together for many years, and attacked their enemy with intuitive teamwork. The dark Jedi, suddenly overwhelmed, lifted from the ground and turned two impressive flips away from Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan, and hit the ground running. Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon put up immediate chase. They followed him out of the dome and onto a second landing platform, where they were instantly surprised by a second foe; a human who had hopped down from the floor above and began to aggressively attacked Obi-Wan, light saber spinning. Obi-Wan turned to engage the second dark jedi and in moments he and his master where in a furious battle of two against two.
The 4 lights whirred and whizzed across the floor of a platform and under the nose of a large ship. Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan pressed back to back for a moment, when Obi-Wan lifted off his feet and turned an agile back flip over his master and behind the Chagrin fighting him. He cleanly cut him in half. Before the human had time to strike Qui-Gon's exposed back, a 5th light saber flashed across his shoulders and beheaded him.
Zaleiha stood triumphantly in his stead.
"I was wondering where you'd gone to!" Obi-Wan managed, panting.
"Dequc is unconscious and in a crate." She responded quickly.
Obi-Wan laughed triumphantly.
"Job well done." Qui-Gon breathed, regaining his breath. "Let's get him on the ship and and contact Coruscant. Get some others out here to clean up this mess." Then, regarding the black faces and sooty robes of Obi-Wan and Zaleiha, he added:
"You two look terrible."
When the three jedi exited the facility on the ground floor they were met with wild applause and cheering. The little people with the furry faces, now freed, rushed forward and clasped hands and patted backs and bowed repeatedly before the three.
While Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan retrieved the ship and landed it on the facility's upper platform to retrieve the prisoner Dequc, Zaleiha stayed behind with the gracious people of Arbras. They scurried in and out of huts, packing belongings and grabbing up children, readying to leave behind the hated place and trek home to their desert villages. The sun was setting and air cooling, and Zaleiha joined the homeward caravan, walking happily hand in hand with two small children. She glanced over her shoulder and saw Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon leaving the docking platform. Their ship glinted in the sunset's light and flew towards them and then over their heads, causing a whoosh of refreshing wind. All cheered and waved.
Zaleiha released a child's hand to reach for her computer, which was buzzing in her robes.
"Zaleiha." She answered light heartedly.
"We're setting down at the village. We'll pick you up here." Obi-Wan's warm voice. Zaleiha's smile widened.
"Thank you." She put the computer back in her pocket. She shook her head and exhaled a little flushed. That Padawan has a voice like... the taste of chocolate." She thought.
When she reached the village the sky was dark and starry. The little furry people were a tribal and simple people; their village consisting of stacked mud huts with a single well at the center.
Those who arrived before them had started a large fire and were beginning to celebrate their liberation, banging on drums and blowing flutes and dancing joyously. Zaleiha was quickly snatched up and lead to the fire where Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon already sat, modestly refusing baskets of flowers, beads, and woven swathes of fabric.
The three were presented with steaming bowls of warm soup and a muddy, purplish drink. Qui-Gon sniffed the drink suspiciously and turned to warn Obi-Wan against it, only to find that he and Zaleiha both were already gulping their portions down, the two of them completely famished. Neither had eaten since their episode on Jabiim.
With no other option Qui-Gon tolerated the atmosphere of happy respite, though he made it clear they were only staying long enough to be polite. The three had ought to be prudent in getting their prisoner, Dequc, to Coruscant and into the hands of the authorities.
Dancers from around the fire giggled and pulled at she and Obi-Wan's hands. Obi-Wan admittedly waved them off but Zaleiha couldn't resist. She laughed exuberantly, and, obviously a little under the influence of the aforementioned drink, happily joined the women and children around the fire.
Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon watched her laugh and play in the fire's light.
"It will be a great battle for that one," Qui-Gon began sternly, "to overcome her passionate nature. I doubt she'll make it to knighthood."
Obi-Wan moved to respond but found his mind working a little slowly. "Nor I." He managed, truthfully.
"Obi-Wan," Qui-Gon said thoughtfully. "Go back to the ship and contact the temple. Update them on our situation and tell them we'll be back by early morning."
"Of course master." Obi-Wan obediently arose and trotted through the village to the ship.
Qui- Gon finished his soup but pitched the drink onto the ground beside him. He watched the dancers thoughtfully for several minutes. Zaleiha, panting through her wide smile, stumbled to a halt and made drinking motions to the people dancing around her. They pointed towards the village center and she tottered off into the darkness in the direction Obi-Wan had gone. Qui-Gon glanced over his shoulder after her, then returned to thought, his hands folded under his chin as he watched the fire.
Obi-Wan was striding down the ships ramp when he saw Zaleiha tottering towards him in the darkness. Her happiness was infectious and Obi-Wan laughed as he approached her, the two colliding at the village well. There was a pull inside of him that brought his face much closer to hers than necessary, and he spoke very loudly against the music.
"Master says your dancing isn't entirely appropriate."
Zaleiha moved her eyes quickly from Obi-Wan's light eyes down to his too-close, too-provocative mouth.
"-Mr. Obi-Wan," she started suddenly, putting her hands on his shoulders and adding a few more inches of space between them. "I'm afraid you're just.. a little too handsome for me to allow that kind of proximity." It was as much a joke as it was a meek attempt at reservation. But Obi-Wan's hand had followed her and moved around her hip and onto the small of her back. This time he spoke softly.
"And I'm afraid you're absolutely too beautiful to allow you another step away from me."
She searched for a response but found herself helpless against his closeness, his alluring mouth and warm voice drawing her tentatively towards his face until, at last, she felt the electric touch of his lips against hers. Both of them froze, stunned into a breathless silence as her lips lingered there, soft and waiting, a kiss and not really a kiss. After a moment that felt like an infinity, Zaleiha's hands relaxed against his shoulders and Obi-Wan inhaled softly, easing his mouth open just a fraction more, wanting to feel more of her bottom lip against his, wanting to know better that beautiful mouth he had so come to admire.
When he felt the gentle tug on his lip as it slid between hers, a swell of long-dormant desire flared to life within him, and despite his years of discipline there was no part of him that could've stopped him. The two allowed the incredible feeling to wash over them, to feel the heat and passion and desire too long imprisoned in their young bodies. The sensation was as decadently overwhelming as it was frightening, threatening to drown the both of them in its intensity.
Gasping against Zaleiha's mouth, Obi-Wan moved an adoring hand down Zaleiha's ribs and small waist, clutching her hip bone and pulling her pelvis toward him and against his. He buried his face under her chin and began to explore the sensual curve of her neck with his mouth. Zaleiha tightened her grasp on his arm as his warm breath against her neck sent shivers up her spine.
Sounds from the fire suddenly reached Obi-Wan's consciousness. Letting out a frustrated groan, he forcefully pulled himself back, breaking the kiss. The severity of his situation was taking shape in his mind. He gathered his will and suddenly widened the distance between them with a backwards step. Zaleiha met his eyes and smiled helplessly, flushed and radiant in the darkness.
"No, no... I can't," he protested feebly, mind and body reeling as they fought a confusing internal battle of wills. "I can't, - we can't," he repeated, breath increasingly rough and unsteady, unable to temper his emotional chaos enough to call on the Force for guidance. "Zale you should..." He stepped backwards further and ran a hand over his face and through his hair. "..go back; -you should go back." He managed finally, catching his breath. He nodded and motioned to shew her away. He needed to gather his thoughts and.. chemistry before his master could see him.
Zaleiha reached into the wooden bucket on the side of the well. She produced a wooden cup and drank deeply from it, water dripping down her chin. Without saying a word she turned and marched back to the fire with the collected poise of a true Jedi.
Qui-Gon, Obi-Wan and Zaleiha left the planet Arbras followed by raucous and gracious goodbye. Though Obi-Wan and Zaleiha continuously glanced longingly towards one another, their eyes like magnets to one another's, they passed the trip back to Coruscant primarily in silence. Qui-Gon cordially questioned Zaleiha on her training and her master.
When the three returned to the Jedi Temple, Logus Shri was on the landing platform to meet them. Zaleiha trotted happily to him and jumped childishly into his arms. Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon exchanged surprised glances and Logus, embarrassed, pushed her off and took her hand. "Zaleiha my young Padawan!" The older man placed a hand on her back and smiled warmly. "I knew you wouldn't be long. So glad to see you well, my friend." He turned to Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon as they approached the ship.
"Master Qui-Gon," he bowed graciously. "We are in your debt."
"It is Obi-Wan who would rightfully receive your thanks." Said Qui-Gon. "I sent him alone to find Zaleiha. -Your Padawan was a valuable asset to my effort in Arbras. She is well trained."
"A little head strong and emotional for her own good, but I thank you for your compliment."
"Thank you Master Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan Kenobi." Zaleiha said with a polite bow.
Obi-Wan wished to say something but couldn't imagine a phrase that wouldn't betray his thoughts. He nodded.
In the weeks that followed Obi-Wan was more focussed on his training than Qui-Gon had ever seen him. He relished every moment that demanded he be distracted from lusty spells, daydreaming, and most of all thoughts of her. He dreaded meeting her in the halls, practice rooms, or meditations gardens. He practiced his combat skills furiously throughout the day and meditated late into the night. He anxiously awaited each mission and avoided moments of relaxation. He faced his feelings and fought to understand them, so, as he had been taught, he could control them without unhealthily suppressing them. There is no passion, there is serenity. There is no emotion, there is peace. Those days his body was too tired to train he spent in the temple's meditation garden, seeking the serenity that so betrayed his natural longing.
While celibacy was and had been enforced sporadically through different periods within the temple, it was attachment that was the true threat to a Jedi. Obi-Wan was well aware that his contemporaries were no strangers to casual sexual encounters outside the of the temple; meaningless liaisons that afforded them a respite from what could be otherwise detrimental lust. Obi-Wan knew better than to place so much faith in this particular youuthful incarnation. He was wise enough to recognize his vulnerability to attachment.
The hope of never running into her was overly optimistic, however. Approaching the sixtth week since Obi-Wan had meet Zaleiha on Jabiim, he opened a door to one of the habitually quiet and often empty practice rooms, seeking a private space to meditate where he would not be distracted. A figure allready sat in the the center of the floor, cross legged and lost in meditation. She started at the sound of Obi-Wan entrance and the light that spilled into the room.
"Oh- Forgive the interruption-" he said, turning to leave. "Please continue!"
"Obi-Wan?" her voice stopped him in his tracks. He turned nervously.
"..Zale?"
"Obi-Wan!" She cried giddily, pushing herself to her feet and trotting childishly towards him. He recoiled slightly as she jumped into his arms, hugging him and laughing.
"For pity's sake Zale!" He cried, taking her arms and pushing her off him. He was aware of the door sliding closed behind him, leaving them in a quiet darkness. "Have you absolutely no regard for proper conduct?"
"Oh honestly Obi-Wan, not from you. What harm is there in showing you some affection?" She turned and walked away from from him, retrieving her cloak from the floor where she had been sitting.
Obi-Wan crossed his arms in his robes. "Oh I think you're quite aware, Zaleiha. -You know I've been making a rather valiant effort to avoid you."
She faced him, looking a little exasperated. Her hair was piled atop her head; a thin braid wrapped once around it to function as a head band. She was devastatingly gorgeous. She looked down at her hands and fiddled with her fingers. After a moment she admitted:
"Actually so have I. I'm in a terrible place, Obi-Wan," she confided. "The whole council speaks of my inability to control my emotions. If it weren't for Logus constantly preaching my virtues I think I'd be cast out of the temple all together." She crossed her arms across her chest and diverted her gaze. "Master Windu practically did it himself when he caught me hugging my Master."
"You're allowed affection Zale, it's attachment that everyone is worried about. It's a weakness."
"And why does it have to be a weakness?" she demanded, throwing up her hands, "Why can't it be a strength, to need someone, or to love someone? I feel stronger because of you, Obi-Wan; because of my Master Logus; it doesn't feel like weakness to want to fight for someone else, or to be with someone else."
Obi-Wan glanced nervously over his shoulder and towards the door. His thoughts were betraying his actions. Searching for a response, his eyes watched a bead of sweat working its way down Zaleiha's forehead. He imagined its salty taste and for a a terrifying moment imagined brazenly licking it right off of her forehead. Kriff, what the hell is wrong with me?
"I'm not surprised by the council's feelings Zale;" he pressed on determindly. "-surely you can see the danger in your emotions." It was meant as much for him as it was for her. "You've got to focus through it. Understand your feelings so you can learn to put them away." The room was very hot, enclosed and the afternoon sun beating on the outside of the temple walls. He felt himself sweating. When Zaleiha began to approach him he turned as though to leave, feeling the urge to run. She reached for his arm to stop him.
"Obi-Wan," she turned him to face her. "Didn't that feel.. powerful?.. together on Jabiim? How could something like that be weakness?"
"Oh Zale don't say such things, it's.." passion... he thought fearfully.
She reached up to catch a rivulet of sweat moving down the side of his face.
"Don't-" he snapped, catching her wrist. But the contact betrayed him and a familiar tidal wave rushed over his body. He tightened his grip on her arm and unwillingly drew her closer to him, trembling. He raised his other hand and grasped her chin roughly, tilting her face so he could gaze into her cruely relentless beauty. He moved his fingers over her open mouth as he knelt his face closer against hers, helpless regarding her parted, beckoning lips, her eyes closed and waiting for his contact. At last Obi-Wan lost himself and kissed her furiously.
He hungrily explored her mouth with his tongue, Zaleiha's body responding instantly with a foreword lurch against his. The kisses intensified, breaking only for desperate and hurried moves to change angles; gasping for breath. Obi-Wan swung her around and pressed her back against the wall beside the door, moving his mouth down to her neck as she raised a knee up along side his waist, wanting him closer. She moved her calf around his back and hugged him against her with her leg, leaning her head back against the wall in a passionate ecstasy as Obi-Wan planted a line of warm, wet, open mouth kisses up her neck and along the line of her jaw.
He moved an imploring hand up and against her face, loosing his last finger into her mouth. He cried out when he felt the warm wet sensation engulf the digit, raising his head to watch as her tongue flicked dangerously at his other fingers. The sight was more than Obi-Wan could stand and he dove again for her mouth. The kiss was ferocious this time, messy and hot, each one nipping and biting at swollen lips while hands roamed possessively over cheekbones and fingers snagged in tangled hair. Zaleiha let out a sensual moan, relishing in the exciting and simultaneously fearful knowledge that it was Obi-wan's erection, hard and unyielding, she felt pressing against her thigh.
Courageously, Obi-Wan moved a hand to grasp her breast. Zaleiha let out a small cry of surprise and ecstasy at the arousal that surged forth in her body from this simple contact. He suckled her collar bone as he began to rock his pelvis sensually against hers, fondling her in his strong hand. Zaleiha let out a soft cry with each thrust, clutching the back of his head and drawing his face into her neck, driven by a pulsing and surging somewhere deep within her. She wanted more of him; all of him and all at once. But...
-But neither could be daring enough to take another step towards intercourse- not within the Jedi temple; not with their mutual fears of never earning Knighthood licking like flames at the back of their necks.
Eventually embracing this mutual understanding, the two padwans breathed deeply into each other's mouths and then struggled down from the high slopes of their lust. Frustrated and exhausted, Obi-Wan managed to surrender his passion and conceded to rest his head against her chest, panting. Together they fought to regain control of their bodies and breath. Zaleiha gently caressed Obi-Wan's sweat soaked brow, lovingly moving her fingers through his hair and shaking her head in wonder at the shear force of her emotion. After several minutes she giggled, looked at him ironically, and then laughed. He smiled and then laughed as well, bewildered at their current state.
"Something tells me neither of our masters would approve of us anymore." Obi-Wan spoke, straightening and wiping the back of his hand over his mouth.
"I'm sure you're counter productive to my training," she said, leaning her back against the wall.
"Charming." Said Obi-Wan, flatly.
"What?
"Charming, the word you're looking for is charming, not counter productive." Zaleiha burst easily into laughter and gave him a playful shove.
Suddenly, the two Jedi froze and turned their heads to face the door. Both had felt an approaching presence; Obi-Wan recognized the Force signature of his Master, Qui-Gon. He was near by.
He turned to Zaleiha and waved a pretentious finger at her. "Mind that you do something about those unwieldily emotions." She smiled at him as he turned, opened the door with a wave of his hand, and darted out into the hall; decidedly disinterested in being caught. In an instant the door closed behind him, leaving Zaleiha alone in the room's darkness.